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I do the nasal rinse in streaks, honestly, @jc76 and @tc7231. I'll get really into it for a while, then kind of phase out. But I honestly think I'd feel better with my allergies every day if I did it regularly.
It makes sense to use any nasal spray/inhaler after the rinse to start with a clean slate and not lose it, jc76.
Someone told me they just used tap water in their bathroom for their nasal rinses, as it's too much hassle to go across the house to boil some water. I thought that was a good idea for me when I started up nasal rinsing again recently. However, I read about some potentially infectious organisms you can be exposed to if the water is unboiled and cooled, or distilled. Here's an example of the kind of information I read from the FDA:
- Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe? https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe
The thought of in-taking infectious organisms "scared me straight." I've used my husband's CPAP distilled water lately, however, which is room temperature. But it sounds like you suggest warm water for the best effect. Any other "must-do's" for the best outcome with nasal rinses?
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@lisalucier
Regarding the using purified/distilled water for rinses. I learned this years ago with Mayo ENT wanted me to do a steroid rinse mixed with NeilMed Sinus Rinse. She stressed using purified or distilled water as using tap water would be putting germs, and bacteria up into sinuses.
You can buy gallon water bottles of purified water or distilled water. That is what I use. I used the saline rinse at room temp and then one day said I think it would feel better if warm. So I warmed up the solution(used a glass container okay for microwave) in Microwave, felt great. Don't get to hot though needs to be just warm.
Now I read on the bottle of NeilMed on front says, "Use warm solution, Squeeze gently." It also has visual direction on how to use. So much for thinking using warm water was my idea.
You can use the Microwave to disinfect the bottle of NeilMed if that is what you use. Just follow the directions. If you use something else to put saline in have to follow how to disinfect that particular device.
I think doing saline rinses is to do them slowly bent over a sink and ensure is going in one nostril and coming out the other. Then trying to make sure stay bent over sink to let water drain out before you stand up.